In the midst of severe flooding in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia a massive crocodile measuring around four to five meters long unexpectedly appeared in a residential area, causing panic among local residents on Wednesday night, February 12, 2025.
The crocodile was first spotted by an online motorcycle taxi driver who was delivering a package in Kampung Kajang, Lorong 1, Tamangapa Village, Manggala Subdistrict, at around 11 PM. The driver’s screams immediately attracted the attention of nearby residents, who rushed out of their homes to witness the shocking sight.
As the animal swam through one of the hallways still submerged in knee-deep floodwaters, local residents attempted to chase it away, but their efforts were in vain. The massive reptile became trapped in a dead-end alley due to the crowd, making it more challenging to manage the situation.
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
In response, the Mayor of Makassar, Mohammad Ramdhan ‘Danny’ Pomanto, swiftly ordered the Makassar Fire and Disaster Management Agency to capture the animal, expressing concern that it might enter people’s homes if not handled immediately.
“I was worried that the crocodile would enter people’s houses,” Mayor Danny Pomanto stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Firefighters Successfully Capture the Crocodile
A team of 20 firefighters was deployed to the location to evacuate the animal. Due to its large size, weighing approximately 100 kilograms, the evacuation process took around 30 minutes. The crocodile was eventually secured and transported to the Makassar City Fire Department Headquarters.
As reported by MetroTV, Makassar Fire Department Head Hasanuddin explained, “One crocodile has been secured and brought to the fire station. Then we coordinated with BKSDA to pick up the crocodile.”
The crocodile, which was in good health, was then handed over to the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA). Hasanuddin confirmed, “The crocodile is healthy and has been handed over to BKSDA.”
Despite the successful capture of this crocodile, Hasanuddin urged residents to remain vigilant, as it is suspected that more crocodiles might be lurking in the area.
“There is news that this crocodile is not alone, estimated to be six in number. This female crocodile is probably the one that laid eggs last month and then escaped,” he revealed.
He further added, “We remind residents to be more careful, especially in the midst of flooding, as there might still be male crocodiles around.”
Crocodile Surprises Residents Amid Flood Disaster
Residents of Tamangapa Village were shocked by the crocodile’s sudden appearance in their flooded neighbourhood. Although the animal had often been seen in the nearby river close to the landfill, this was the first time a crocodile had ventured into the residential area.
“This is the first time a crocodile has entered here. I think it came from the river behind through the rice fields and then arrived here,” a resident commented.
The incident has left the community on high alert, as authorities continue to monitor the area for any further sightings of crocodiles during the ongoing flood crisis.
Cover: Photo by Rene Ferrer/Pexels
